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Lyr Req: Bit of the ruin that Cromwell knocke

25 Nov 99 - 03:41 PM (#140707)
Subject: Bit of the ruin that Cromwell knocked ab
From: bill\sables

I was asked last night if I could find the words of the old Music Hall song "I'm a bit of the ruin that Cromwell knocked about a bit" I think it may have been sung by Marie Lloyd at the turn of the century. Can anyone help. Cheers Bill

25 Nov 99 - 04:57 PM (#140722)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bit of the ruin that Cromwell knocke
From: Liz the Squeak

It's probably better known as 'one of the ruins that Cromwell knocked about a bit', but I can't lay my hands on it at the moment, it isn't in the Great British Songbook, but that doesn't mean it isn't here somewhere....

LTS

26 Nov 99 - 05:10 AM (#140868)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bit of the ruin that Cromwell knocke
From: Wolfgang

Here's at least a bit of it. Wolfgang

21 May 02 - 10:45 AM (#714595)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bit of the ruin that Cromwell knocke
From: Joan from Wigan

That's the chorus, all right, on Wolfgang's link. It was sung by Marie Lloyd, and I've been asked to find all the lyrics. Can anyone help please?

Joan

21 May 02 - 11:06 AM (#714612)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bit of the ruin that Cromwell knocke
From: Dave Bryant

Linda's got the full words (and musical score) at home. If nobody's produced them by this evening, I'll get her (ESSEX GIRL) to post them.

21 May 02 - 11:58 AM (#714645)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bit of the ruin that Cromwell knocke
From: Joan from Wigan

Thanks, Dave, you're a lifesaver!

Joan

21 May 02 - 12:27 PM (#714661)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bit of the ruin that Cromwell knocke
From: Mrs.Duck

Must admit extensive searches never produced more than the chorus so will watch this space with interest. The original query was from me before we had a computer - we all had to dress as a song for new year. I went as Pontefract castle!!!!

21 May 02 - 08:47 PM (#715004)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bit of the ruin that Cromwell knocke
From: Joe_F

Not in Davison's _Songs of the British Music Hall_. But he does give the following information about Marie Lloyd:

She collapsed on the stage singing the last lines of a song...appropriate to her circumstances -- a third song of hers that has lived on -- "I'm one of the Ruins that Cromwell knocked Abaht a Bit." It was her last public appearance: she could not make the second performance on that day; and, three, days later, she was dead.

22 May 02 - 06:35 AM (#715176)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bit of the ruin that Cromwell knocke
From: Nigel Parsons

Similarly, I can only find the chorus, but I did find an ad for a CD made up of recordings from 78s at This site if anyone thinks it's worth £10- to check it out
Nigel

22 May 02 - 05:19 PM (#715629)
Subject: Lyr Add: IT'S A BIT OF A RUIN THAT CROMWELL...
From: Dave Bryant

Sorry to have taken so long about it, but it's a lot of words to type in in a hurry.

IT'S A BIT OF A RUIN THAT CROMWELL KNOCKED ABOUT A BIT

I'm very, very fond of ruins - ruins I love to scan.
You'd say I'm very fond of ruins, if you saw my old man.
I went out in the country for a stroll the other day.
I love to study history and pubs along the way.
I came across an abbey that was crumbled all to bits,
It looked a relic of a bygone day,
A gentleman said "what is this?", I said "excuse me sir,
I'll tell you all about it if I may".

Chorus
It's (I'm) a bit of a ruin that Cromwell knocked about a bit
One that Oliver Cromwell knocked about a bit.
In the gay old days there used to be some doings
No wonder that the poor old abbey went to ruins
Those who study his-st'ry sing and shout of it
And you can bet your life there isn't a doubt of it.
Outside the Oliver Cromwell last Saturday night,
I was one of the ruins that cromwell knocked about a bit.
(repeat)

I showed him round the ruins, and explained to him its charms,
He said "Let us adjourn and call at the common Cromwell Arms.
So in the Cromwell Arms we spent the best part of the day,
I soon found out the landlord's name was Cromwell by the name.
The landlord started arguing on Cromwell and his men,
Till I said "Is this Cromwell fellow dead ?"
He threw us out, and when I came to, on the grass outside,
I looked up at the abbey and I said…
I'm a bit of a ruin…….

I went back to the Cromwell Arms and doubled up my fist,
The potman's name was Oliver and he's always on the twist.
I said "I've come to see the ruins that I'm all about",
He said "You'll be a lovely ruin if you don't get out !"
I told him and the landlord they'd be better in a home,
I said "You've both got Cromwell on the brain."
Then something seemed to fall and I thought that I had collaps'd,
I murmur'd as I came round once again…
I'm a bit of a ruin…..


JOAN - if you want images of the score pages for the music, PM me with an e-mail address and I'll see if I can send you some scans.

23 May 02 - 04:13 AM (#715911)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bit of the ruin that Cromwell knocke
From: Dave Bryant

Incidently the words were in the Marie Lloyd Songbook which Linda got out of the local library - we scanned in half a dozen songs which I've got to get into Midi format (via Sharpeye) and then to WAV sometime to produce backing CDs as neither of us play the piano.

23 May 02 - 11:15 AM (#716113)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bit of the ruin that Cromwell knocke
From: Joan from Wigan

Many many thanks for those words, Dave - a PM is on the way.

Jane - my mind is boggling with trying to imagine you as a singing Pontefract Castle!

Joan